A session to celebrate the fundamental contributions of Charles T. Prewitt, the 2003 Roebling Medallist of the Mineralogical Society of America, to the fields of crystallography, crystal chemistry, mineralogy, and mineral physics. ORAL and POSTER

Topics concerning the geochemical signature of botanical, pedogenic, and lacustrine materials, terrestrial-marine correlations, terrestrial biotic response to atmospheric and oceanic change, and the record of pCO2 and climate in the Cretaceous are encouraged. ORAL and POSTER

There is considerable evidence that the chemical composition of the ocean has changed over the past 550 M.Y. These changes relate to changes in the global biogeochemical cycles. New research in this field will be presented. ORAL and POSTER

During past warm episodes, many proxy data indicate greater warming at high latitudes than at low latitudes. This thermal gradient cannot be sustained in climate models by increased CO2 alone. We will address the paradox using a combined data-modeling approach. ORAL and POSTER

Abstracts are encouraged on all aspects of Pliocene climate research, including field work on all continents and marine research in all oceans. Participation by students is encouraged. POSTER

Paleoclimatology/Paleoceanography

T85 Signs of Life: the Role of Paleobiology in the History of Evolutionary Theory and our Attempts to Understand the Changing Nature of the Biosphere GSA History of Geology Division; Paleontological Society; Society of Vertebrate Paleontology; Cushman Foundation; History of Earth Science Society (HESS)
Roger D.K. Thomas, Franklin & Marshall College, Lancaster, PA; Gary D. Rosenberg, Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis, IN

Fossils are static, inanimate objects. This session will explore the ways in which they have been brought to life. Studies of earlier work, not originally characterized as paleobiology, will set the stage for a critical assessment of 20th century paleobiology. ORAL

Fossil decapod crustaceans collected and donated by Ross and Marion Berglund have yielded a number of new taxa from the Pacific Northwest of North America, immensely adding to our knowledge of fossil decapod crustacean paleobiogeography, systematics, and evolution. POSTER

Detection of Precambrian life is a strong focus of attention for earth and biological scientists. This session centers on the latest advances in methods used for, and results of, searches for evidence of such ancient life, as shown by studies of fossils, sedimentary structures of biologic origin, and isotopic and organic geochemical data. ORAL and POSTER

This session will focus on large-scale ecological and evolutionary patterns in Phanerozoic terrestrial and marine environments. The ecological links between terrestrial and marine ecosystems are explored using paleontological, sedimentological, geochemical, and modeling approaches. ORAL